There are three distinct types of seminars to accommodate different learning styles. All seminars are 75 minutes in length.
Learning LabThese seminars are designed to build skills. Participants will engage in hands-on activities with coaching/mentoring from experts in the field serving as learning lab facilitators. Presentation of ideas will take place in the context of “doing”.
Process SeminarThese seminars will be interactive in nature where the facilitator will spend a maximum of thirty to thirty-five minutes presenting ideas, concepts and transferable principles. The remainder of the time will focus on engaging participants in question and answer dialogue.
Presentation SeminarA traditional seminar style where the majority of time will be spent with the instructor communicating ideas, concepts and transferable principles. Question interaction time will be limited based on the instructor’s discretion.
GAME ON Come and get you game on! We will learn several games by doing. These games will have broad application and can be used by facilitators, programmers, summer staff, directors, board members and funsters. A comprehensive list of all games played will be provided by e-mail to all attendees
BETTER THAN GOLD! (Panel) How much better to get wisdom than gold, to choose understanding rather than silver! (Proverbs 16:16). This seminar will be an open forum discussion with seasoned professionals from the field of camping. It offers a great opportunity for gaining insight and wisdom based on their years of experience in areas of finance, business procedures, human resources and best practices in operations.
EASY HORS D'OEUVRES & STARTERSHave you ever wondered what am I going to do for hors d'oeuvres? Maybe you have a group that wants something special, a catering event or are you just tired of the same menus all the time. Let us show you how to make it easy and great at the same time. This is a "hands on" workshop that will show you a few hors d'oeuvres, starters and meal breakers that you can pull out of your sleeve when you need them. Join us for some food and fun!
EVALUATION TOOLSWe all conduct guest evaluations. Sometimes the information gathered is helpful…sometimes not. Are you really getting the true feedback that will help you improve? Bring several copies of your camper/guest evaluation forms to this process seminar where you'll gain insight into the real issues we should be evaluating and how to design questions that will tap into the heart of these issues. All participants will share in evaluating and learning as they examine each other's surveys and compare these key survey principles
THE LITTLE ENGINE THAT COULD...For many, marketing in this economy is a hill too steep to climb, but with the right fuel in your engine and raw determination, "I THINK (YOU) CAN"! Real fuel doesn't come from our services or special offers, it comes from stories of "mission accomplished" cultivated and grown in a unique culture we call, "Christian Camping." We'll examine several case studies of others who have used stories to fuel their marketing engine, look at practical ways to convert your own stories into fuel, and create an action plan to use that fuel to take the hill!
INTERGENERATIONAL PROGRAMMINGCamp provides unique opportunities to impact family systems and build relationships between family members as they interact with nature, activities, God, the Word and each other. Objectives drive when to segregate and combine age groups, events and activities. How to create spiritual dialogues across age groups will be discussed.
DO I STILL WANT TO DO THIS? At some point in ministry you're going to ask yourself this question. Between burning out and facing obstacles it is easy to question God's call on your life. Come listen to others who have faced this question and leave encouraged and re-energized.
LEARNING FROM A PROInstructor: Joanna Pollock, Dream Inn,Translator: Maribel Boyd, Mount Hermon Traveling to downtown Santa Cruz, you'll be greeted at the Dream Inn—one of Santa Cruz's historic hotels--by the hotel's Rooms Division Manager, Joanna Pollock. Joanna is the former Housekeeping Manager at Mount Hermon, and held the position of Executive Housekeeper at the Dream Inn for seven years prior to her new role. Participants will experience the hotel's housekeeping organization, enjoy a behind the scenes tour (including the laundry operations), as well as discover new techniques, cleaning procedures and products to help clean like the pros. You'll enjoy meeting Joanna who has a great love for Christian camping. (Note: This seminar is a super-seminar and will cover two seminar sessions. Meet in front of the dining hall for carpools. Parking at the Dream Inn is available in the main parking lot across from the hotel. Bring your parking ticket with you to the seminar for validation. A Spanish translator will be available.)
ADVENTURE PROGRAMMING: RISK MANAGEMENT 101 We'll be discussing the steps you need to know to enhance the risk management of your challenge course programs. We'll look specifically at the what, where and how to survive course inspections including review of equipment, structure and environment along with the documentation that's required. This will be a hands-on session with plenty of time for questions.
MAKING SURE YOU CAN PAY THE BILLS We'll develop a plan for assuring your ministry will not be held hostage by finances. What does it take to assure there is a solid business plan alongside of a solid ministry plan? We'll explore the tools of pricing, budgeting, capitalizing, forecasting, cash flow, and break-even analysis.
MAXIMIZING YOUR MINIMUM: WORKING WITH WHAT YOU HAVE (Process Seminar) Do you have an aging facility? Does your dining hall set up hinder your meal time flow? Maybe your menu is stuck in a rut due to your lack of kitchen equipment. This is a seminar where we can discuss and share ideas of what we have done new. Also, help each other work through difficult situation with our facilities. Come and share what you have done to think outside the "kitchen box."
IT'S WHAT YOU DON'T KNOW THAT IS YOUR BIGGEST CHALLENGE—AND OFTEN GETS YOU INTO TROUBLE (Panel) All leaders are skilled but often it is the information we don't have that creates conflict. We all have "blind spots" and often don't do enough homework. Four veteran camping ministry leaders will discuss a time when a lack of expertise, lack of research of a "blind spot" led to a bad decision that was difficult to overcome. There will be stories of what God has taught them as they have led. Be prepared to laugh, think seriously and learn.
EFFECTIVE PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT AND REVIEWS (Process Seminar)This seminar will help managers to clearly understand the performance appraisal process so that they can convey expectations, effectively provide employees with feedback for improvement, encourage trusting and respectful relationships, and safeguard the company and its employees from liability. Among the issues discussed: Motivating and directing the employees you rely on; resolving conflict more effectively in a wide variety of situations; turning difficult people and poor performers into team players; winning the cooperation and trust from those in your organization.
4 SQUARE & 7 TWEETS AGO: A SOCIAL MEDIA WORKSHOPStrengthen your social network with help from the Mount Hermon "Geek Squad." Our job as marketers is to take our message to where the people are. This is a hands-on seminar with opportunities to do just that and to further develop and refine your Facebook, Twitter, YouTube tagging, 4Square, Yelp, Animoto, Flickr, Vimeo and SmugMug accounts.This seminar is limited theory and more practical evaluation and application. (NOTE: Participants should bring their own laptop.)
CONNECTING THE SOCIAL MEDIA DOTS We'll explore the ways in which Facebook, Twitter, Google + and the like can actually enable you to fulfill the mission of your camp. Too often interacting with social media seems like another chore on our list of things to do, more for personal use than for ministry. We'll look at how social media is relevant for all aspects of your camp…from programming to guest services, and even for your facility team. Participants must bring their own laptop.
ARBORIST WORKSHOP Maintaining the trees at your camp can be daunting. Learn from a professional how and when to prune…everything from tools to ladder safety. You'll leave this workshop knowing how to make your trees aesthetically pleasing.
JESUS WAS NOT CONFLICT AVOIDANT Do you face conflict straight on or do you run away from it and try to keep everything smooth? This presentation will take a look at the way Jesus modeled engaging with necessary conflict. We'll explore ways we can incorporate healthy conflict in our own lives.
STATE OF INDUSTRY Learn about what is happening in the challenge course, canopy tour, adventure and recreation industries. We will discuss trends, training, legislation, litigation, certification, compliance, compensation and more. Time will be left for questions and answers.
STACK IT, TACK IT, & RACK IT: BRINGING NEW LIFE TO YOUR RETAIL SPACES Learn how to create and display the small and large retail spaces around your camp by getting a fresh perspective of using what you already have to show off what you want to sell. Learn about what's working in current retail shops and connect with other store managers and buyers.
CONNECTING FOOD SERVICE INTO THE COMMUNITY AND MISSION Here is a new approach to team building brought to you by the kitchen…yes, the kitchen! We all know that people love to hang out in your kitchen at home, so while not bring your staff together through your Food Service. We will share ideas that we have used to bring a "team" atmosphere to our Food Service, such as connection lunches, Iron Chef Competitions and cookie scooping parties. This will be a great time to share and talk about your Food Service and it's ministry at your camp.
GROWING INTO A LEADERLeadership development is a process that often takes patience, humility and a willingness to embrace opportunity as it comes. Leadership is also something that is handed down as a baton as young leaders are ready for new challenges and responsibilities. As this process unfolds, the dynamics between seasoned leaders and younger leaders can be challenging, frustrating, but also incredibly rewarding. This seminar will explore the dynamics between veteran and emerging leaders so as to facilitate growth, mutual learning and healthy relationships. It will also focus on how seasoned leaders can better understand those they are leading, better deal with misunderstandings and miscues, and learn to recognize the potential in their younger leaders.
TEAM ALIGNMENT As a staff member and informal consultant to other teams, Joel will focus on the components of corporate and individual mission, vision and values as they interact with both the organization's and individual's levels of self-awareness and character traits such as humility, integrity, service and growth. Having grown up on a farm in a family of gardeners, he sees alignment as a more organic than mechanical process, full of planting, nurturing, pruning and purposeful patience; all things he is still practicing, some days better than others. Get ready for growth!
MARKETING FOR FREE Don't have the cash but have the will? There are a lot of free marketing tools available to non-profits. Learn how to take advantage of these free resources to advance your message and mission.
INTEGRATED PROGRAMMING FOR WEEKEND RETREATS Camp can be viewed as a single event beginning when campers arrive and ending when they depart. When spiritual objectives are supported by recreation, media, the schedule and even support services such as dining, the synergy can produce amazing results. Come see how to plan and train so that each program component sets up the next.
DISASTER PREPAREDNESS Are you ready for the big one? Earthquake, fire, flood or epidemic? If you don't have a plan, come learn the components of a disaster preparedness plan and how to implement a plan of your own.
LEADING WHEN YOU ARE DISCOURAGED, HURTING AND EVEN GRIEVING Leading through tough times is a challenge but not impossible. Come hear how to lead: • In times of inner struggle, anger and grief. • With encouragement from your team and your board. • By knowing when to be transparent and when to "suck it up." • When you feel like quitting. • When it appears that there is no "pathway through."
UNDERSTANDING YOUR LEADERSHIP STYLE AND HOW IT AFFECTS THOSE YOU LEAD The most effective leaders are those who understand their individual strengths and core competencies. This seminar will use a personal assessment profile to identify and explore individual leadership strengths and areas for growth; it will equip those in leadership to develop a strategy for continued acquisition of skills to better lead and motivate. You will learn how to overcome barriers to communication as well as incorporate the skills of persuasion, conflict management and team building. A leader without followers isn't a leader; this course will increase your versatility—and your followers' motivation—as you exercise your leadership.
SKILLS AND THRILLS Target sports are gaining in popularity. In this hands-on workshop, we will explore the components of effective archery and laser tag programs and we'll get to use slingshots too! No previous experience in shooting stuff necessary.
HIRING & FIRING…IMPORTANT QUESTIONS AND ESSENTIAL PROCESSES BenefitGroupSince hiring and firing are vital parts of every manager's role, your success or failure in these tasks critically affects not only your long-term organizational goals, but everyone's day-to-day functioning. You take a big risk when you hire a new face…and an even bigger risk in deciding to cut them loose. This seminar will address the critical questions in hiring and the essential processes in firing that are important to know and implement.
SHRINKING THE GREAT DIVIDE BETWEEN PROGRAM & FOOD SERVICE Bringing these two vital departments together is key to accomplishing great things. We will explore the commonalities we share and discuss real ways we can work together in coordinating the separate elements of each to provide effective ministry to our guests. Bring a person from the other department with you…it will improve our discussion.
GREETING OUR PUBLIC: GREAT FIRST IMPRESSIONS You only get one opportunity to make a great first impression. As administrative personnel, our role is hugely important and vital in setting the tone for our guests' experience. Topics will include positive ways to answer the phone, greeting guests in a way that builds rapport, de-escalating potential conflicts, presenting yourself in a professional manner, etc. Hard-hitting and practical, you'll leave this seminar with new insights to raise the bar at your camp.
EFFECTIVE TEAM BUILDING What do effective teams have in common? How do effective teams behave? Calling a group of people a team doesn't make them a team…so what does? We'll explore what makes a team really act like a team…and identify the warning signs of a team that is breaking down.
MODERN PRESENTATIONS Over the past decade most camps have embraced the need to have some kind of projected presentations as part of their meetings. Whether for song lyrics or speaker support, the screen is now a focal point for many events. But few ministries have the luxury of employing trained graphic designers to create the content for these "slides". This seminar offers simple design concepts that immediately improve the impact. Not specific to any one software program, these tips will be helpful in PowerPoint, Keynote, ProPresenter or anything you are currently using. Guaranteed to benefit beginners and "old-hands" alike.
PURPOSE DRIVEN STAFF TRAININGThe staff training experience should be approached with the same intentionality that you bring to your camper experience. Let's discuss hot to develop a guiding philosophy to staff training while integrating five essential elements that every staff team needs before summer starts.
NO TO LOW COST IMPROVEMENTS In these times of tight cash flow, how can you continue to maintain and improve your camp? Make big improvements with small amount of money. Come prepared to share how to dive deep into your "bone-yard" and pull out items you already have to start your next improvement project.
HEALTHY BOUNDARIES: WORK/LIFE SPLIT How do you keep life in balance when you live and work in the same place? Do you often feel like your faith has become your job? Establishing healthy boundaries in our lives is a necessary attribute when it comes to responsibilities, family and other priorities. Come listen and share how to keep your work and life in ministry in proper balance.
DESIRED LEARNED OUTCOMESDesired learned outcomes (DLOs) provide the framework for effective adventure programming. We will learn how to use an intake assessment to create DLOs and then see how simple activities can be the springboard for intentional, repeatable learning through the use of the "fishing" processing technique.
TIME MANAGEMENT (Process Seminar)The bad news is that time flies…the good news is that you are the pilot. This seminar will present time management techniques that will help increase productivity, reduce stress and improve results. Christine will share how you can prioritize tasks, overcome procrastination, improve concentration and deal with distractions.
LET'S GET SAUCY Who has time to make the five Mother Sauces from scratch? Come and learn how to take your stock sauces up a notch using ingredients already found in your kitchen! Bring an open mind, clear pallets, paper and writing utensils.
FROM CONTACT TO CONTRACT TO CLOSING From the initial inquiry call to the final good-bye at conference close, there are many steps in the "care and feeding" of our guest groups. Our two presenters will bring both a large and small camp perspective in sharing their step-by-step processes to assist the group in marketing, mission focus, guest care, conference logistics, etc. In both cases, the ultimate goal is to help make the guest experience effective in its mission and the guests feeling well cared for.
WHEN IS ENOUGH ENOUGH? We have all had struggles in dealing with staff or employees that just were not working out or have needed a re-orientation. Perhaps you struggled with knowing when poor performance or poor attitude was over the line. You've convinced yourself that being gracious means allowing these kinds of things to go on for a while. But are you correct? What does it mean to be gracious or to extend grace in our ministry settings to those with whom we work? Come ready to discuss your own experiences…good or bad. There are no hard and fast answers to these difficult questions. We will look at specific Bible passages, drawing out guiding principles; seek to learn from one another; and come away with a better understanding of what it means to extend grace in our ministries that is healthy for both the employee and the organization.
MARKETING FREE-FOR-ALL (Panel Process Seminar) A panel of experts will address marketing issues that are keeping you awake at night. Bring your pressing issues from conceptual to practical and let this panel of experts provide ideas and answers.
DISC GOLF Disc golf is rapidly gaining popularity around the world as an outdoor activity that is environmentally sensitive and accessible to everyone…from small children to seniors. The game retains all the strategic elements that make traditional golf so popular, but is much easier to learn and play, takes far less time for a typical round of golf, and is very inexpensive to implement. Just as important, it helps instill life lessons and biblical principles and can be easily adapted to reinforce a teaching program. In this hands-on seminar, you'll learn why disc golf is a perfect addition to any camp and experience for yourself why it appeals to such a broad spectrum of people.
HANGING DOORS AND WINDOWS You will learn the basics of the installation of pre-hung doors and windows including how to hang a door and window from scratch, installation of weather-stripping and tricks on how to make old doors and windows work again. Meet in the Loading Zone for transportation to the Carpentry Shop.
THE STRATEGY OF LIVING LIFE…WITH A PURPOSE Does goal setting, prioritizing, planning and living (putting the strategy into action) really work? This seminar will discuss how one develops individual life stage planning and then "living" into the future. If you don't know what road you're on, where do you expect to go?